Harvard Libraries: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library

Dumbarton Oaks Research Library - The Dumbarton Oaks Archives


Hours:	Mon.-Thurs., 9-5

Phone Numbers:

main	(202) 339-6429
fax	(202) 339-6419

Email Addresses:

CarderJ@DOaks.org

Address:

Dumbarton Oaks Research Library
The Dumbarton Oaks Archives
1703 32nd Street, NW
Washington DC 20007

Access Policy:

Open by appointment.

Open to qualified researchers.

Open to staff.

Extent of Collections:

Architectural Plans and Drawings: 240 cubic ft
Historical and Administrative Files: 151 cubic ft

Dates:

Architectural Plans and Drawings: c. 1920-present
Historical Files: c. 1920-c.1940
Administrative Files: c. 1940-present

Holdings Description:

Architectural Plans and Drawings Archive: Designs for renovations and new construction at Dumbarton Oaks or for properties acquired by Dumbarton Oaks.

Historical Files Archive: Correspondence and memorabilia files pertaining to the history of Dumbarton Oaks ( the residence of Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss), the gardens, the collections and the conveyance of the property to Harvard University in 1940; files include materials on the Blisses, Beatrix Jones Farrand, Landscape Gardener, Lawrence Grant White, Architect, Armand Albert Rateau, Designer, Ruth Havey, Landscape Architect, and prominent scholars in the fields of Byzantine, Pre-Columbian and Landscape Architecture Studies [some files compliment materials held in the Dumbarton Oaks Byzantine Photograph and Fieldwork Archives].

Administrative Files Archive: Correspondence and project files from the institutional history of Dumbarton Oaks, c. 1940-present; files include materials from the offices of the Director, the Directors of Studies, the Collections, and other offices of the institution.

History:

Formerly at Dumbarton Oaks but now at the Harvard University Archives since 1982 are the personal papers and memorabilia of Robert Woods Bliss and Mildred Barnes Bliss, who in 1940 donated their home, Dumbarton Oaks, and its library and collections to Harvard University to serve as a research center in Byzantine and, later, Pre-Columbian and Landscape Architecture studies. The Bliss Archive casts light on American philanthropy in the 20th century, American women's relief work during World War I, the development of a professional American foreign service, elite political society in Washington during the 1930s, and the evolution of American taste and connoisseurship as seen through the eyes of two prominent collectors. It also includes personal correspondence, autographed photographs of world notables, Robert Woods Bliss' Harvard scrapbooks, photographs of Puerto Rico ca. 1900 and of World War I battle zones.

The Architectural Plans and Drawings Archive consists of proposals and “as-built” designs and plans for renovations to the historic house, its orangery and other out-buildings, as well as for new construction, especially service buildings and museum and library additions. These include: Renovation of property by Frederick H. Brooke, Architect, Washington, DC, c. 1921-1923; Renovation of property and design of new construction by Lawrence Grant White, McKim, Mead & White Architects, New York, NY, c. 1923-1929; Renovation of property and design of new construction by Thomas T. Waterman, Architect, Washington, DC, c. 1938-1946; Design of Garden Library by Frederick R. King, Wyeth & King, Architects, New York, NY, c. 1960-1964; Design of Pre-Columbian Wing by Philip Johnson, Philip Johnson Associates, New York, NY, c. 1959-1963; Design of residence at 3240 S Street, NW, by Macomber & Peter Architects, Washington, DC, 1961; Various miscellaneous renovation projects, c. 1940-present.

The Historical Files Archive details the formation and early years of Dumbarton Oaks as a research center, and preserves correspondence and related documents from notable scholars, especially in the field of Byzantine Studies, including Otto Demus, Sirarpie Der Nersessian, Francis Dvornik, Henri Focillon, Albert M. Friend, André Grabar, Romilly Jenkins, Ernst Kitzinger, E.K. Rand, Marc Rosenberg, Alexander A. Vasiliev, Kurt Weitzman, and Thomas Whittemore. Most of these materials were consigned to the Archives by the patrons, Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss, or by the first Director, John S. Thacher.

The Administrative Files Archive chronicles the institutional activities and projects of the research study programs (especially their fellowships and symposia), the collections, and the gardens. These files were and continue to be generated and consigned by the various offices of the institution.

Printed Guides & Catalogs:

Searchable, topical listings of the architectural plans and drawings, the historical files and the administrative files are available through an in-house program at Dumbarton Oaks. These listings are kept current with each new submission to the Dumbarton Oaks Archives.

Contact for permission to publish requests:

Contact the Archivist

Reproduction services:

Photocopying by staff only.

Photographic reproduction services.

Items allowed in Reading Room:

Laptops

Please address comments and updates to archinfo@hulmail.harvard.edu.